Tales, Ballads and Tunes from the Western Catskills

This web site will alert the public to some of the regional and local events related in at least a broad sense to the legacy of Grant Rogers and the traditional musical culture he exemplified. In this way, we will call attention to an evolving, living tradition, which continues to enrich our community today.

upcoming events

Jim Kimball Lecture on NYS Fiddlers and Dance

06/20/2019

James (Jim) Kimball, Lecturer of Music and Conductor of String Band at SUNY Geneseo, will give a presentation on the history of New York State fiddlers and dance music with a special focus on this region, the Western Catskills. In addition to directing instrumental groups at Geneseo, Kimball also teaches courses on ethnomusicology, world music, and popular music in America.

past events

Kathy Shimberg and Erik House

05/19/2019

Longtime local musicians performed joyful old-time traditional U.S. and Canadian dance tunes and songs on fiddle, banjo, piano, and lap (Appalachian) dulcimer. The evening had the flavor of a Grant Rogers era house party.

O'Shanigans

04/14/2019

The O'Shanigans played a mix of Celtic, American, and world fiddle tunes: reels, jigs, and waltzes from as near as New England and as far away as Scotland and Finland. Members of the trio were Jon Avery (fiddle), Mike Ludgate (mandolin and foot percussion), and Phil Robinson (guitar).

The Whispering Tree

02/17/2019

Singer/songwriter Eleanor Kleiner and guitarist Elie Brangbour performed their original songs and arrangements of familiar folk songs. They call their music a combination of folk and rock, with snatches of jazz and bluegrass.

Cherish the Ladies Christmas Show

12/08/2018

Concert at Walton Theatre, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY, 7:30 p.m.

A surprise additon to Music on the Delaware's 2018-19 concert series, the Celtic band Cherish the Ladies brought Irish holiday music, dance, and poetry to the Walton Theatre stage. It was an awesome performance with an almost full house.

Grant Rogers: An Online Archive

12/02/2018

Speakers: Grant Rogers Committee members from William B. Ogden Free Library and Music on the Delaware, Walton

Musicians: Jay Ungar, Molly Mason, Ira McIntosh

Grant Rogers Project Committee members, Jim Haggerty, Robbie Jean Rice, Jim Richardson and Jean Withrow, presented a brief history of the Grant Rogers Project with highlights from the website www.grantrogers.org. They were assisted by musicians Jay Ungar, Molly Mason, and Ira McIntosh. The event was sponsored by Catskills Folk Connection, with Ginny Scheer at the helm.

A Walton Christmas

12/01/2018

A community singalong-concert with a variety of musicians providing musical accompaniment. Admission: An item for the Food Bank or Toy Bank. Musicians included Jodie, Nate and Larry Jamieson; Bill Seneschal and Don Gilkinson; the Townsend School Select Chorus with Theresa Bolton as Director; and the Walton Community Band with Ray Bartlett, Director.

Claire Boucher and Brad Hurley

11/18/2018

Claire Boucher, who grew up in southwestern Brittany, the Celtic region of France, sang traditional songs in French and Breton, accompanied on flute and guitar by Brad Hurley. At several points, Claire invited audience members to join her in trying out traditional Breton dances. Claire and Brad call Montreal their home.

Kimberly Hawkey and Elvanelle Orchestra: Song of the Catskills

11/17/2018

Concert at Walton Theatre, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY, 7:30 p.m.

Elvanelle Music presented the dubut of the Elvanelle Orchestra, a 9-piece show band in the Broadway, Vaudville, and Jazz traditions. The band revived Catskill legends through folk music, jazz, comedy, rock and American song, including a song by local musician, Grant Rogers. Music of the Catskill Grand Hotels was a particular highlight.

Hop City Trio

10/21/2018

Randy Miritello led Hop City Trio (a subset of Hop City Hellcats) in his original songs, stories of heartbreak, love, and murder: raw energy that made people move in their seats. His companion musicians showed extraordinary musicianship on upright bass and guitar.

North Sea Gas

10/13/2018

Concert at Walton Theatre, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY, 7:30 p.m.

Three talented Scottish musicians performed an exciting blend of Scottish and Irish folk music on a variety of instruments, with fine vocals, and with a keen sense of humor. Two workshops were offered during the day at the William B. Ogden Library, one at 11:00 a.m. for children and the other at 1:00 p.m. for adults. On Friday, the band performed for Walton Central School elementary school students and middle/high school music students.

Discussion 1 of "Improbable Community"

10/04/2018

This discussion of Bill Horne's book about Camp Woodland focused on “The World is a Neighborhood- Building Community." Attendees discussed the ways in which Norman Studer and Camp Woodland staff fostered a unique community for city campers and members of the nearby community. Campers benefited from the artistry and talents of their mountain neighbors, and various local musicians, storytellers, and artists found acceptance and appreciation of their arts, crafts, and life experiences. At Studer's encouragement, campers came to appreciate the dignity of each person no matter his/her race and culture. The camp fostered acceptance and cooperation.

Campers' lives were changed as a result of their experiences at this camp: "They came away with a need to practice equality, celebrate diversity and work tirelessly for the possibility of a democratic sociaty like the one they had lived as part of Camp Woodland." (p. 278)

Tea with Author Bill Horne

09/14/2018

Camp Woodland (located near Phoenicia, NY) is remembered as a place where campers and neighbors celebrated music, history and folklore. Pete Seeger supported the program, and many local musicians performed there, including Grant Rogers, who was at the camp from 1950 through 1962, when the camp closed. Author Bill Horne attended Camp Woodland from ages 7 to 17, 1950 to 1960, and gave an informative talk about its history. Ira McIntosh sang several of Grant Rogers' favorite songs, including "Cannonsville Dam", "Slide Mountain," and at audience request, "Bessie the Heifer." An enthusiastic audience of 15 attended the event.

A followup discussion about the book and Camp Woodland took place at the William B. Ogden Library on October 4, 2018.

Ukulele Workshop with Ukulele Catskills

07/19/2018

Ukulele player/singer Carmen Borgia conducted an interactive workshop on playing the ukulele. Audience members learned some chords on the instrument or improved their playing and enthusiastically jammed and sang with Carmen Borgia and the group.

The library has some ukuleles available to check out for practice at home.

Film "Indian Summer"

07/18/2018

The film tells the story of the flooding of the valley and the removal of residents of the West Branch of the Delaware River in order to create the Cannonsville Reservoir (completed in 1965). Storyteller Robert Gregory and musician Grant Rogers are among local folks seen in the film. The movie, produced in the early 1960s, was followed by audience discussion.

"Indian Summer" Film Showing

06/14/2018

Walton Theatre, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY at 7:00 p.m.

About 200 people attended a showing of the film "Indian Summer: The Cannonsville Reservoir." The film tells the story of the flooding of the valley of the West Branch of the Delaware River in order to create the Cannonsville (completed in 1965). Storyteller Robert Gregory and musician Grant Rogers are among local folks seen in the film. The movie was followed by remarks and questions from the audience, especially questions for Helan Zandt, who was a teenager at the time the reservoir was built and whose family had to move from the area. Helen is the author of two books of people's memories of those years. (See bibliography).

Iron Moutain Variety: Steve Eisenberg

04/15/2018

Coffeehouse at Walton Theatre, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY

Rogue Irish musician, bluesman, raconteur/storyteller Steve Eisenberg entertained the audience with personal stories, the history, and a wide variety of songs and tunes. A number of local guest musicians joined Steve in performing Irish traditional music, folk songs, blues, and pop tunes. In addition, three singer/songwriters sang a few of their original numbers. It was a delightful evening. The event ended with everyone in the audience singing an Irish traditional parting song, "The Parting Glass."

De Temps Antan

04/07/2018

Concert at Walton Theatre, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY

With guitar, fiddle, harmonica, accordion, bouzouki, voice and foot percussion, these three virtuosos blended boundless energy with unmistakable joie de vivre found only in the traditional music of Quebec. The music brought many in the audience to their dancing feet. It was a grand way to conclude Music on the Delaware's 2017-2018 concert season.

In addition to the concert, the pre-concert jam session attracted a good number of musicians, including three singer/songwriters. Both audience and musicians thoroughly enjoyed the event.

The Kennedys

03/17/2018

Concert at Walton Theatre, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY

An American folk-rock band lauded for their harmonies and instrumental skills, Pete and Maura Kennedy performed songs that blended elements of folk, country music, bluegrass, Western swing and janglepop. Most of the duo's numbers were originals. (www.waltontheatre.org)

Traverse

03/17/2018

Coffeehouse at Walton Theatre, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY

Bernd Neumann on fiddle, Liz Myers-Brown on flute and Carol Mandigo on guitar performed beautiful Irish songs and traditional Irish and French Canadian dance music with a spirit born of love. (www.waltontheatre.org)

Charm City Junction

02/10/2018

Concert at Walton Theatre, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY

From dance-inducing Old Time rhythms to hard-driving Bluegrass to traditional Irish tunes, this Baltimore band of four created a fresh soundscape that kept listeners wondering where they would go next.

Tremelo & Company

01/21/2018

Coffeehouse at Walton Theatre, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY

Elaine Sherman, joined by friends Kevin LaDue and Chris and Carla Bubny, delighted the audience with a mix of traditional, folk, and contemporary music on hammered dulcimer, guitar, and dobro. Several of the tunes played were standard dance tunes that Grant Rogers and his contemporaries most probably played, for example, "Golden Slippers," "Arkansas Traveler," and "Over the Waterfall."

Laurie McIntosh

11/19/2017

Coffeehouse at Walton Theatre, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY

Storyteller and musician Laurie McIntosh ("Story Laurie") delighted listeners with a variety of stories and songs - tales both true and tall - and original tunes.

Canal Street String Band

11/04/2017

Concert at Walton Theatre, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY,

The three Canal Street String Band musicians presented a lively performance of traditional tunes and songs plus a few of their own originals. Joining the band for three songs was the Townsend School Select Chorus (under the direction of Theresa Bolton). The three songs, "Cannonsville Dam," "Ground Hog" and "Bessie the Heifer," were closely associated with local songster Grant Rogers. It turned out to be a rollicking, joyful evening of great musicianship, a sense of adventure, and a totally good time.

Pat Kane and West O'Clare

10/20/2017

Dance at Walton Theatre, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY

In the dance tradition of Grant Rogers' era, this four person dance band performed traditional music and led audience members in traditional square and round dances. Both listeners and dancers enjoyed the free event. (waltontheatre.org)

Driftwood

10/13/2017

Concert at Walton Theatre, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY

Rooted in the land of their hometown, Binghamton, these four musicians used bluegrass instruments and their voices to present a blend of folk, old-time, punk, country, and rock music.

IRA MCINTOSH ON GRANT ROGERS LEGACY OF SONG

08/09/2017

Local area singer/guitarist Ira McIntosh performed traditional songs and discussed Grant Rogers' influence on Ira’s music life. The workshop ended with a jam session involving several area musicians.

Linda Hickman

05/21/2017

Coffee House @ Walton Theater, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NYUsing the wooden flute and whistle, Linda explored the connection between music and nature and healing sound. Through her performance, she also illustrated how two musical traditions, Irish and Latin, can be combined.

Grant Rogers Website Launch

04/22/2017

Workshop at William B. Ogden Library, 42 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY

The Grant Rogers Website was introduced to the public in a three-hour celebration at the William B. Ogden Library. Musicians performing Grant Rogers' music and music of Rogers' era alternated with demonstrations of aspects of the new website. Over 150 people visited the library that day, enjoying the on-going program as well as photos and memorabilia of Grant Rogers.

GIRSA

03/11/2017

Concert @ Walton Theater, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY

GIRSA (Gaelic for “young girls”) is a traditional Irish music band made up of between five to eight women. What is clearly evident is that they have a passion for their music and use their instruments and talent to share this time-honored Irish musical heritage.They share enthusiastic performances of traditional Irish song and dance with a creative and powerful mix of fiddle, accordion, banjo, tin whistle, bodhran, guitar and keyboard. Here are two Irish jigs that Grant Rogers would surely have been delighted to hear - and perhaps even play: "Man in the Bog" and "The Compromise."

Here is Girsa in concert at the Walton Theatre.

Bowin’ the Strings

02/19/2017

Coffee House @ Walton Theater, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY

Pennsylvania fiddlers Laura Kortright and Steve Jacobi with guitarist Craig Gehrig delighted the coffeehouse audience with old-time, boot-stomping dance tunes. Their lively traditional jigs, reels, waltzes and polkas even prompted a few dancers to take to the floor.

Dala

02/04/2017

Concert @ Walton Theater, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY

The Canadian folk duo, Sheila Carabine and Amanda Walther, performed gorgeous harmonies in original songs that were both catchy and insightful. Their singing in harmony was angelic, and the joy with which they performed was infectious. Similar to Grant Rogers’ originals, their original songs rise out of their experiences. Here they sing “Horses,” inspired by the courage of a teenager they had met who could only experience the world through his mind.

John Potocnik and Dave Raphaelson

01/15/2017

Coffee House @ Walton Theater, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NYThe duo, Barn Cats, played and sang music that spanned folk, jazz, and world music as well as original numbers. John’s fiddle and voice and Dave’s guitar entertained the coffeehouse crowd superbly. Among the treats was a presentation of a song often sung by Grant Rogers, “Mother, The Queen of My Heart.”

Pat Kane

11/20/2016

Coffee House @ Walton Theater, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY

Pat Kane, “Balladeer of the Southern Tier” and entertainer extraordinaire, presented popular Irish and American ballads and stories. Pat’s fiddling also created an immediate square dance opportunity; at several points, the audience pushed back the tables and executed some sets.

Mile Twelve Bluegrass

11/05/2016

Concert @ Walton Theater, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY

A fresh, hard-driving young band of four skilled singers and instrumentalists from the Boston area entertained with original and traditional bluegrass.

Jay Ungar and Molly Mason

10/15/2016

Concert @ Walton Theater, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY

Returned to our stage! One of America’s most celebrated duos on the American acoustic music scene performed terrific hard-driving Appalachian, Cajun and Celtic fiddle tunes, songs of swing and country, sweet waltzes, and moving originals.

A highlight was Jay and Molly playing on stage a waltz he wrote in honor of Walton and Grant Rogers, “Amid the Rivers and the Streams.” A backdrop of local nature photos taken by Robbie-Jean Rice accompanied Jay and Molly’s music.

Black Sage Project

09/18/2016

Coffee House @ Walton Theater, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY

Singer/guitarist Dave Ingerson, with backup from his northern Pennsylvania-based band, performed a lively mix of folk, bluegrass, traditional, original, and historical ballads. Ingerson’s originals included songs honoring the history of mining in north central Pennsylvania.

Canal Street String Band

10/25/2014

Concert @ Walton Theatre, 31 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY

With three voices and a multitude of instruments, the Western New York trio performed some seriously fun Old American music. Fiddle tunes, sea chanteys, cowboy songs, mountain music, swing and lots of three-part harmony was the order of the evening. Singer, instrumentalist and band leader Dave Ruch, knowing that Walton was the home town of Grant Rogers, included several of Grant’s songs during the concert, including “Bessie the Heifer.” Children from Townsend Elementary School had learned the song from their music teacher, Theresa Bolton, and were invited to join the Band the night of the concert.

It was Dave Ruch's recognition of Rogers that planted the seed for the Grant Rogers Project.